The internal crisis within the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has escalated sharply following the registration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara into the party by a disputed factional leadership.
APC Spokesperson, Darlington Nwauju, issued a scathing statement on December 12, 2025, condemning the registration as a direct “assault on the rule of law” and a “brazen ridicule of the judiciary.”
Naijaonpoint reports that Nwauju’s criticism centres on the fact that the faction that registered Governor Fubara – led by Rivers State APC Chairman Tony Okocha – was purportedly produced by congresses that have been nullified by two separate court rulings.
He referenced two judgments: the August 12, 2024, ruling by Justice Sika Aprioku and the December 20, 2024, ruling by Justice Godswill Obomanu.
“Does running to Government House to register Governor Sim Fubara in order to validate his group set aside the judgments that nullified the congress that produced them? The answer is a resounding NO,” Nwauju asserted.
He argued that every attempt to revive the faction only exposes a “dangerous disregard for legal order” and reinforces the party’s internal crisis.
The spokesperson branded the move as both illegal and provocative, warning that the Governor’s registration could trigger fresh rounds of costly litigation that the Rivers APC can ill afford.
“They must stop creating room for further litigation within the APC in Rivers State because the so-called registration done by an illegal entity can be challenged in court,” he added.
Governor Fubara formally received his APC membership card at the Government House, Port Harcourt, on Friday, with Tony Okocha, who claimed to represent the APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, presenting the card. Fubara stated his decision was aimed at promoting unity and development in the state.